Window catch



1936 R. s. LLEWELLYN I 2,030,705

WINDOW CATCH Filed Oct. 21, 1932 INVENTOR.

FIG, Ross 5. LZEWMLYN vzzmMw/am ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 11, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to windows and includes among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved lock for holding the sashes of a window in adjusted relation to each other.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of a pair of sashes and a window frame showing my invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a view taken along the line 22 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a view taken Figure 1.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, I make use of a standard window frame I having a lower sash l2 and an upper sash I4 associated therewith. The sashes are slidably mounted in the frame and are separated from each other by the usual guide IS. The upper cross rail l8 of the lower sash is provided with an inclined face 20 having engagement with a similar face 22 on the lower cross rail 24 of the upper sash when the two are in closed position.

The U-shaped support 26 is mounted upon the cross rail It by a single screw 28, passing through the base near its inner end. A roller 30 is along the line 33 of mounted between the two side portions 32 of the support 26. This roller is mounted upon a shaft 34 having pinions 36 projecting through slots 38 in the sides 32 and meshing with racks 40 defining one side of each slot. Referring to Figure 1, each rack comprises a short horizontal or inactive portion 42 and an inclined or active portion 44. The slots are of such width that the pinions 36 may roll freely along the racks but are effectively held in mesh therewith, by the smooth outer guide rails 45.

In Figure l, I have shown the roller 30 bearing against the inner side 46 of one of the side rails of the upper sash l4. At this time the pinions 36 are in mesh with the inclined portions 44 of the racks so that downward movement of the roller causes a wedging action between the frames. Any upward movement of the. lower sash or downward movement of the upper sash with the roller 30 positioned according to Figure 1, increases the wedging action between the sashes, and prevents movement of either sash relatively to the other sash in an opening direction. I have designed the inclined portions 44 of the racks of suflicient lerfgth to provide a Wedging action between the sashes in cases where the latter fit loosely in the window frame. Figure 1 shows the two sashes fitting snugly against the guide I6, but in cases where the sashes are loose in the frame, the wedging action of the roller 30 would cause a slight space between the sashes and the guide l6. Thus the sashes may be effectively latched against opening movement regardless of the fit between the sashes and the frame.

Referring to Figure 1, the support 26 projects across the line of juncture 48 between the two cross rails I8 and 24 so that screw drivers or other tools cannot be inserted through the crack between the two rails for releasing the roller 30 from its latched position. The roller 30, however, may easily be manually withdrawn from a latching position by moving it to an inoperative position. The support includes means for supporting the roller in inoperative position out of engagement with the upper sash. The means illustrated is the horizontal rearwardly extending positions of the guide slots.

In Figures 2 and 3, I have shown the shaft 34 as extending a short distance beyond the two side portions 32 and rounded at 50 to facilitate manual grasping of the same. The arrangement of the parts is such that a single screw is sufficient for resisting any opening force applied to the sashes, and the window may be safely locked with either or both sashes partly open, and no movement of either sash is possible. Thus both the upper and the lower sash may be as wide open as safety permits, independent of the condition of the other sash.

By using one of the looks at one side of the window, the sashes are locked, not only by the direct wedging action perpendicular to the plane of the window, but the sashes are tipped by any forcible attempt to open them further, and wedge themselves between the opposite sides of the frame.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain my invention that others may, by applying knowledge current at the time of application, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

1. A latching device for window sashes comprising: a one piece U-shaped frame of sheet metal, having a central bight adapted to rest horizontally atop the lower sash, and duplicate flat spaced arms extending up in parallel spaced relationship from the opposite ends of said bight; said bight being apertured substantially on its center line to receive fastening means, such as a woodscrew; each arm having an aperture defining a horizontal reach and an inclined reach extending outwardly and downwardly from the outer end of said horizontal reach; the lower margins of each reach having serrated edges defining rack teeth; a pintle having ends projecting through both apertures; a roller V 2. In a device of the class described: an apr' tured sheet metal plate; one side of said aperture being serrated in the form of rack teeth, and an opposite side of said aperture being smooth; and a pinion in the plane of said plate meshing with said rack teeth, the opposite smooth side of said aperture contacting the teeth of said pinion to hold said pinion in meshing engagement with said rack teeth.

ROSS S. LLEWEILYN. 

